Why Large Music Festivals Are Losing Their Appeal to Smaller, Curated Events
A tale of two music festivals reveals the shifting landscape of live music experiences. FORM, a curated 500-person festival at Arcosanti, and Governors Ball, a 55,000-person commercial festival in New York, demonstrate stark contrasts in the festival experience.
Governors Ball struggled with common large festival problems:
- Overcrowding made it difficult to hear performances
- Long wait times and disorganized staff
- Excessive intoxication among attendees
- Disruptive crowd behavior
- Cultural insensitivity (unauthorized use of Native American headdresses)
Concert crowd at outdoor music festival
In contrast, FORM delivered a more intimate experience:
- Curated attendance through application process
- Respectful, engaged audience
- Strong sense of community
- Focus on music appreciation
- Clean, well-maintained environment
Woman holds sheet metal on stage
While FORM required an application process and Governors Ball had a $275 price tag, both created different barriers to entry. FORM's approach resulted in an audience genuinely interested in the music and community experience.
DJ performs on outdoor stage
The future of music festivals may lie in smaller, specialized events that prioritize experience quality over attendance numbers. These intimate festivals can better serve both artists and audiences, creating memorable experiences that focus on music appreciation rather than pure profit.
Muted accordion against light background
Evidence of FORM's success can be seen in the overwhelming positive feedback from attendees and artists alike, with some even creating new music inspired by the experience. This suggests a growing appetite for more thoughtful, curated music festival experiences.
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